The BMW i3s is aimed at the new era of green mobility and is designed to exceed the toughest of urban demands

BMW, India’s second biggest German luxury car maker, unveiled its all-new electric car BMW i3s and hybrid vehicle BMW i8 Roadster along with a slew of other top-end models at the Auto Expo 2018 to boost sales in Asia’s third largest car market.

The BMW i3s is aimed at the new era of green mobility and is designed to exceed the toughest demands of urban mobility, Vikram Pawah, president at BMW Group India, said. The BMW i3s has an electric range of up to 280 kms.

World premiere of the BMW i8 Roadster took place at the Los Angeles Auto Show in December 2017. It has a top speed of 250 km/hr with acceleration from 0-100km/hr in 4.6 seconds. The further optimised BMW eDrive technology enables longer range and more time in pure-electric mode, opening the door to emission-free motoring.

“At present, the BMW Group India is contemplating the market feasibility of bringing the all new BMW i3s to India. The Indian government has outlined a vision of e-mobility very clearly and they are rapidly moving towards full-electric at a really fast pace,” Pawah said.

The e-mobility is also the central pillar of BMW Group's future vision of the world, he pointed out.

Pawah said the plug-in hybrid electric vehicles is the first step towards the eventual move to complete electric mobility and the launch of the BMW i8 Roadster is a step in that direction. He said the BMW i8 Roadster, which is an open-top two- seater, will be launched in India later in 2018.

The luxury automaker also launched the BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo Sports Line that will be priced at Rs 58.90 lakh. It will compete against the long-wheelbase Mercedes-Benz E-Class. The E-Class has been a runaway success for Mercedes, offering the kind of space and luxury never seen before, in the segment.

Being a large liftback with a similarly long wheelbase and enhanced rear seat space, the BMW 6-series GT will aim to beat the E-Class at its own game.

The diesel version of the vehicle will be launched in the second half of the year, the company said.

It also launched the all-new sixth generation BMW M5 that will carry a price tag of Rs 1.44 crore. The BMW M5 is a unique blend of compelling track potential and the everyday usability and comfort of a luxurious business sedan.

Considered as the most performance oriented executive sedan in the world, the BMW M5 now features the M xDrive all-wheel drive system for the first time.

It combines the familiar blend of sportiness and unerring accuracy both on the race track and out on the open road, delighting drivers with its significantly enhanced directional stability and controllability in adverse conditions.

The company also unveiled the third generation BMW X3, with its advanced design language, innovative technologies, luxurious equipment and generous amount of space, which will be launched in India later in the year.

“Even though last year for the Indian automotive industry was full of challenges... but we successfully overcame these headwinds and registered double-digit growth,” Pawah pointed out.

BMW India sold 9,379 units, clocking a growth of 25 per cent. “We are very confident of continuing this momentum and our primary goal is to grow the luxury vehicle market in India,” Pawah said.

The German luxury carmaker further said it is working to make its petrol portfolio in India compliant to the BS-VI emission norms ahead of schedule.

The company, which is present in the country through a wholly-owned arm BMW India, today launched three products."We are working towards making our petrol portfolio BS VI norms compliant over the next few months," BMW Group India President Vikram Pawah told reporters. Although shift to BS VI emission norms kicks in from April, 2020 many automakers are trying to get their products confirm to new regulations ahead of schedule.